A thread for Norman Baker

[kevo]

Drinking in Lewes after the game - every pub I went in (John Harvey, Snowdrop, Gardeners, Lansdown) was full of (well behaved, friendly) Wolves fans - seemed to be there for the day or maybe even the weekend, staying in hotels, eating locally, obviously boosting the town's economy.

Has that prat Baker ever said anything about the benefit the Amex has brought to his constituency, given how vehemently he opposed the whole scheme? He should be bloody thanking us.

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

In fairness, Kevo, people are entitled to their opinions. At the time there was almost a fascist style whip going around that suggested people had no right to be opposed.

I opposed the building of the ground at Falmer and felt that it should be elsewhere (Waterhall was my preference although it was a no-goer). I still don't think it was the right place, although I support the club nonetheless.

My point is that it is a democracy, and he is entitled to reflect the views of his constituents, however wrong others regarded them.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

In fairness, Kevo, people are entitled to their opinions. At the time there was almost a fascist style whip going around that suggested people had no right to be opposed.

I opposed the building of the ground at Falmer and felt that it should be elsewhere (Waterhall was my preference although it was a no-goer). I still don't think it was the right place, although I support the club nonetheless.

My point is that it is a democracy, and he is entitled to reflect the views of his constituents, however wrong others regarded them.

And the point that the pro-stadium campaigners made at the time (and, even more so, now) was that MOST of his constituents supported the stadium being built at Falmer.

If you want to defend Norman Baker's stance, the best anyone can come up with is that he mis-read local opinion and nailed his colours to the wrong mast. Having done so, he didn't have the bottle to admit he was wrong.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Norman Baker: "Falmer Stadium will be built over my dead body"

Another broken promise by the liberal democrats!

 

[TSB]

In fairness, Kevo, people are entitled to their opinions. At the time there was almost a fascist style whip going around that suggested people had no right to be opposed.

I opposed the building of the ground at Falmer and felt that it should be elsewhere (Waterhall was my preference although it was a no-goer). I still don't think it was the right place, although I support the club nonetheless.

My point is that it is a democracy, and he is entitled to reflect the views of his constituents, however wrong others regarded them.

You're not the husband of the Forfars owner, by any chance?

 

[Stat Brother]

Lets not forget the projected £60 million boost to the economy (not the club) that promotion would bring.

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

You're not the husband of the Forfars owner, by any chance?

I don't think he'd be on NSC

 

[Lincoln Imp]

And the point that the pro-stadium campaigners made at the time (and, even more so, now) was that MOST of his constituents supported the stadium being built at Falmer.

If you want to defend Norman Baker's stance, the best anyone can come up with is that he mis-read local opinion and nailed his colours to the wrong mast. Having done so, he didn't have the bottle to admit he was wrong.

It's very difficult to defend the stance of a man who, by suggesting that there was something illicit in a visit John Prescott made to a city building company, left an impression that a director of the Albion could have been involved in a corrupt act. Baker denied it of course but he knew what he was doing and what he was doing was punching so far below the belt that he nearly took his victim's kneecaps off.

He might be kind to animals and have loved his old mum but he fought a rodent-like campaign and I for one hope never to see him staining the Amex.

 

[TSB]

I don't think he'd be on NSC

Why not? Remained an Albion season-ticket holder, despite objecting to the stadium.

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

Why not? Remained an Albion season-ticket holder, despite objecting to the stadium.

Bit like myself, but no I'm not him.

 

[TSB]

Bit like myself, but no I'm not him.

Okely doke. Can't be many of you around.

 

[kevo]

The only thing I can think of that earns him some credit is that when Lewes council were considering yet another appeal after the plan had been finally approved, he apparently told them "Enough's enough". About time though.

 

[Brovion]

Bit like myself, but no I'm not him.

Sorry, can you run that past me again. You were OPPOSED to Falmer?

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

Yes, I didn't support the location of the stadium. Just because I support the Albion I didn't feel led to a default position. I think it's a great stadium now it's here, but if asked as to whether I think Falmer was the right location, my answer remains the same.

 

[Brovion]

Yes, I didn't support the location of the stadium. Just because I support the Albion I didn't feel led to a default position. I think it's a great stadium now it's here, but if asked as to whether I think Falmer was the right location, my answer remains the same.

Jeez. Well I'll keep this polite so I'll simply say that I have a lower opinion of you than I do of Norman Baker and LDC. Just my view obviously and I'll admit to being a bit disappointed as I liked your posts. Sorry.

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

Jeez. Well I'll keep this polite so I'll simply say that I have a lower opinion of you than I do of Norman Baker and LDC. Just my view obviously and I'll admit to being a bit disappointed as I liked your posts. Sorry.

If it's any help my opposition merely extended to giving my opinion when asked, I wasn't a member of the pitchfork brigade or signing any petitions. I'm sad that you would express such a low view of someone merely for thinking at the time that a new stadium for his favourite football team was an urgent necessity but would be better located elsewhere.

Thank you for your compliment regarding my posts though.

 

[Baron Pepperpot]

And the point that the pro-stadium campaigners made at the time (and, even more so, now) was that MOST of his constituents supported the stadium being built at Falmer.

If you want to defend Norman Baker's stance, the best anyone can come up with is that he mis-read local opinion and nailed his colours to the wrong mast. Having done so, he didn't have the bottle to admit he was wrong.

Then I'll correct my view, I didn't know there was a majority in support. On a planning application an elected representative should really respect the wishes of the majority even if they as individuals oppose it.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Then I'll correct my view, I didn't know there was a majority in support. On a planning application an elected representative should really respect the wishes of the majority even if they as individuals oppose it.

He knew very well what his constituents wanted as they made it very clear to him.

 

[Triggaaar]

I opposed the building of the ground at Falmer and felt that it should be elsewhere (Waterhall was my preference although it was a no-goer). I still don't think it was the right place, although I support the club nonetheless.

I see you're getting a little stick over this, so please excuse me, I'm not wanting to add to it - you thought there were better locations for the new ground, and you are not alone in that. Can I just check though (and I appreciate it's not my business if you'd rather not say), when we had the chance to vote Yes or No for the ground at Falmer, what did you vote?

 

[kevo]

Can't say I mind if people thought at the time that Falmer was the wrong location (I always favoured Brighton station) - it doesn't make them less of an Albion fan - but there is surely no doubt now that the decision to move there was correct.